BOBBY JONES

STROKE OF GENIUS

4 STARS - INSPIRING

Social scientists discovered what Bobby Jones (James Caviezel) knew intuitively.  Years after Bobby Jones became the greatest golfer of all time but chose to remain an amateur rather than a professional player, social scientists discovered that a person’s joyful love for a hobby or sport can be lost if they get paid for playing. Studying human motivation and why people do what they do, these researchers discovered that if someone loves to do something simply for the joy of it but starts getting paid for doing it, that soon their motive shifts from the love of the game to their love for money.

Overcoming his problem with an explosive temper and instead demonstrating extraordinary character and impeccable integrity, in 1930 Bobby Jones became one of the most respected athletes of all time.  The genius of his life is beautifully shown in the film directed by Rowdy Herrington titled “Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius.”

Juxtaposing the lifestyle of Bobby Jones with that of the top professional golfer, Walter Hagen (Jeremy Northam), the film contrasts the money-driven professional with the game-loving amateur.  Their differences are many.  Not only does Hagen play for money and Jones for love, but Hagen lives an egotistical and sexually immoral lifestyle.  This is very different from the monogamous and deeply committed husband that Jones is to his beloved wife, Mary (Claire Farloni).  In addition, when Jones accidentally moves his ball during a championship round, he calls for the officials to penalize him a stroke and Hagen is reticent for them to do so.  But when Jones insists, “this is the only way I know how to play the game,” even Hagen is impacted by his integrity.  Jones’ quality of character makes him a person to admire, certainly for his game but primarily for his soul.

The challenge for Jones is not only within his soul or in executing exquisite strokes on the course, but also within his own head.  Having been sickly as a child, with a protective mother, ambitious father and stern grandfather, Jones is a conflicted person.  This conflict plagues him at first on the course as he takes second place in tournament after tournament.  But when he finally becomes settled within and can believe in his unique abilities, he achieves the still unequalled record of winning the “grand slam” in golf.

In addition to this head game, Jones struggles with his own purpose in life.  Trying to please his sports-minded father, his education-minded mother and his business-minded grandfather, Jones plays golf in world-class tournaments, goes to college and then earns a law degree from Harvard.  This struggle to please everyone and to become the best in every arena in life is presented by the film as one reason Jones becomes stricken with a nervous disorder that causes his wife to ask him to retire.  It is this final request that brings peace to his struggle and joy to his home.

In the inspiring life of Bobby Jones, we have an example of what sports could be if we were to remove big money from professional sports. His lasting legacy is America’s greatest golf tournament, “The Masters” in Augusta Georgia that he built upon his retirement. It is an example worth considering today as so many of our best athletes have lost their way and their love.

 

Discussion:

1. When Bobby Jones was young and unable to play with the other children, his house was next to a golf course and he became obsessed with the game.  What do you believe would have happened if his house had been located elsewhere?
2. The ability of Hagen to “get inside” of Jones’ head was clearly seen when he put the idea of shooting a 54 in him because of his perfect first three holes.  This “vision” paralyzed Jones.  Why do you believe it worked that way instead of “spurring him on”?
3. The nature of golf is to not only swing good strokes, but to be able to recover from poor ones.  How do you see this principle working in Bobby Jones’ life as a whole?  In your life?
4. The final union between the three generations of Jones’ men was brought about by the accomplishment of Bobby.  Do you think they would ever have reconciled had he not accomplished the “Grand Slam of Golf?”  Would his grandfather ever have accepted his father’s decision to encourage Bobby to play golf?

 

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Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary.  Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. For more reviews: http://www.cinemainfocus.com.